Actuating mechanism for sliding doors



Feb. 22, 1955 J. MERCIER 2,702,704

ACTUATING MECHANISM FOR SLIDING DOORS Filed July 12, 1952 47 8 lNVENTOR than MGILZ EF I ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 2,702,704 Patented Feb. 22, 1955 This invention relates to actuating mechanism for sliding members and more particularly to bulkhead doors on a ship.

As conducive to an understanding of the invention, it is noted that when the sliding type bulkhead door is moved to closed position it generally wedges in place providing a watertight seal.

In order to prevent injury to the door, it is desirable that but a relatively small force be applied to move the door along its tracks to closed position. However, once the door has been closed and is wedged in such closed position, a relatively great force is needed initially to move the door away from its seat and it is desirable that as soon as the door is unseated, the force applied to move the latter to open position be reduced to a relatively low amount to prevent injury thereto.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide a bulkhead door actuating mechanism that is relatively simple in construction having but few parts that are not likely to become deranged and which, with a given actuating force in one direction, will apply a greatly reduced force to move the door to closed position and with the same given actuating force applied in the opposite direction will apply a greatly increased force initially to move the door from closed position and thereupon automatically will reduce the force applied to the door to continue its opening movement.

According to the invention, a lever mechanism is mounted on the bulkhead door and has stops associated therewith which are mounted on the frame of the ship on which the door is mounted, which stops depending upon the direction of application of an actuating force applied to the lever and the position of the bulkhead door, will cause the lever to function as a lever of the third class to move the door to closed position with a resultant lesser force applied to move the door than that applied to actuate the lever and which will cause the lever to function as a lever of the second class when the door is initially moved from closed position with a resultant greater force applied to move the door than that applied to actuate the lever and automatically will shift to function as a lever of the third class with continued movement of such door.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the actuating mechanism showing the latter during the course of moving the door from open to closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the actuating mechanism when the door is in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the actuating mechanism after the door has been moved slightly away from closed position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the actuating mechanism during the course of moving from closed to open position, and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic views of three embodiments of the invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, in which the operation of the mechanism is diagrammatically shown, the bulkhead door 20 is mounted on slides 21 and has a lever 22 pivotally mounted thereon as at 23. The frame of the ship desirably has two fixed spaced stops 25 and 26 mounted thereon above the door pening and a fixed stop 27 mounted thereon below the door opening.

The lever 22 is of such length that its upper end extends between stops and 26 and its lower end extends below stop 27, and the actuating force from a suitable hydraulic jack, for example, (not shown) is applied to the lever 22 at a point 24 adjacent the top of the bulkhead door 20.

Although any suitable force may be applied to actuate the door, in the illustrative example herein shown,

' 500 pounds is applied to point 24. The distance between points 23 and 24 is illustratively four times the distance between points 24 and 25 or 24 and 26 and equal to the distance between points 23 and 27 when the bulkhead door 20 is in closed position.

When a force of 500 pounds is applied to point 24 to move the door 20 from its open position to its closed position as shown in Fig. 1, a lever of the third class will be provided as the force will be applied to point 24 between point 25 and point 23. By the formula X -l- F where F=500 pounds F '=force applied at 23 to close door b=arm of lever between points 24 and 25 n=1rm of lever between points 23 and 24 F pounds Thus, only a relatively small force of 100 pounds will move the door from its open position to its closed position, at which time the lower end of lever 22 will engage stop 27, and hence the door will move slowly without likelihood of injury thereto.

As the bulkhead door, when in closed position, is likely to be wedged in place against its seat, it is desirable when the door is to be opened, that a relatively great force be available initially to move it away from its seat and that such force be immediately reduced to a relatively low value. This objective is accomplished by the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Thus, when the door is to be opened, a force of 500 pounds is applied to point 24 in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. As the lever at this time is engaging both stops 25 and 27, when force is applied to point 24, the end of lever 22 against stop 25 will move away therefrom as shown in Fig. 3. Consequently a lever of the second class will be provided as the force will be applied to point 24 near one end of the lever; the fulcrum 27 will be at the other end and the load will be between these two points.

By the formula b=arm of lever between 24 and 23 a'=arm of lever below 23 and 27 Thus a relatively great force of 1,000 pounds will initially move the door from its closed position.

With continued movement of the door from its closed position, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper end of lever 22 will engage stop 26 and the lower end of lever 22 will move away from stop 27. Consequently the force of 500 pounds will now be applied between points 23 and 26 and a lever of the third class will be provided so that the force applied to point 23 to move the door to its open posititzin will be reduced to 100 pounds as previously descn e It is apparent from the foregoing that by varying the relation of the lengths of the arms of lever 22 between the stops 25 or 26 and point 24, and between points 23 and 24 and points 23 and 27, different amounts of force can be made available at point 23 with the same force applied to point 24.

The principles of operation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and above described may be utilized in various manners, three embodiments of .the invention being shown in Figs. 5, '6 and 7.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the bulkhead door 30 is slidably mounted in tracks 32 mounted on the frame of the ship and movable in front of :an opening or passageway 33. In :the closed position of the door 33 shown in Fig. 5, it is wedged against a seat 35 on said frame to provide a watertight seal.

Pivotally mounted to the door '39 as at 39, preferably midway between the tracks 32 is a lever. 38 which desirably is bent at such pivot point and extends parallel to said door preferably lying substantially flush thereagainst. The lever 38 is desirably longer than the door 39 and in the' closed position of the door shown in Fig. '5, the lower end128 of lever 38 will abut against a stop 47 afiixed to the frame of the ship adjacent the lower track 32 and the upper end 34 of lever 38 will extend beyond the upper track 32.

Pivotally connected at one end as at 44 to the upper end 34 of lever 38 is a rod 45, the other end of which has a right'an le projection 46 which rides in a slot 42 formed in a bracl-zet43 afiixed to the frame. The ends and 41 of the slot define fixed stops for projection 46 to limit the pivotal movement of lever 38.

As shown in Fig. 5 the lever 33 has a rod 36 pivotally connected thereto as at .37 between pivot 39 and end 34 which is actuated by any suitable means such as a hydraulic jack (not shown).

The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 and corresponding parts have the same reference numerals primed.

' The lever 38 has a connecting rod '43 pivoted at one end thereto as at 43 and at its other end as at 50 to the door 36'. The upper end 51 of the lever has an elongated slot 52 therein through which extends a pin 53 rigid with the frame of the ship, the ends 54 and 55 of the slot functioning as stops.

With'the construction shown in Fig. 6 as the lever is actuated by the force'of a hydraulic jack (not shown) against rod 36', the vertical component of movement of lever 33' due to the force exerted'thereagainst will be taken up by the pivotal connection of rod 49 thereto. This is to be contrasted with the embodiment shown in Pig. 5 in which such vertical component is taken up by the pivotal movement of rod 45.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, parts corresponding to these in 'Fig. 5 will have the same reference numerals double primed. The lever 56 is 'a straight bar having an elongated longitudinal slot 57 through which extends a pin 58 rigid with the door 39". This upper end 59 of the lever 56 desirably has an elongated transverse slot 61 through which extends a pin 62 rigid with the frame, the ends 63 and 64- of slot 61 serving as stops. Thus as the lever 56 is actuated by the force of a hydraulic jack against rod 36 the vertical component of movement of lever 56 will be taken up by slot 57.

In the operation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5, as force is exerted against rod 36 to move the .door from open position to the closed position, the lateral projection 46 of rod 45 will engage .the end 46) of slot 42 and the lever 38 will pivot in a clockwise direction functioning as a lever of the third class, the pivotal connection of rod 45 to lever 38 permitting such movement. When the door is in closed position, the lower end 28 of lever 33 will abut against stop 47.

To open the door 3!), force is'applied to the rod 36 in the opposite direction. Consequently, the lower end 23 of lever 38 against stop 47 will act as a fulcrum so that an enhanced force will be applied to pivot 39 to dislodge the door, the'lever 38 now functioning as 'a lever of the second class. After the door has been dislodged and .the lower end 2 3 of lever 8 moves away from step 47, the lateral projection '46 willengage the end 41 of slot 42 and will function. as the fulcrum of the lever, the latter then functioning as a lever 'ofrthe third class with reduced force applied to pivot 39.

In the operation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, as force is exerted against rod 36' to move the door from open position to the "closed position, the end 55.

of slot 52 will engage pivot pin 53 and the lever 38' will pivot in a clockwise direction functioning as a lever of the third class, the pivotal connection of rod 49 to lever 38' permitting such movement. When the door is in closed position, .the lower end 28' of lever 38 will abut against stop 47.

To open the door 30 force is applied to the rod 36' in the opposite direction. Consequently, the lower end 28 of lever .38 against stop 47' will act as a fulcrum so that an enhanced force will be applied to rod 49 and 7 pivot '50 to dislodge the door, the lever 33' now funci the door :to effect such :movernent.

tioning as a lever of the second class.

After the door has been dislodged and the lower end 28 of lever 38 moves away from stop 47', the end 54 of slot 52 will engage pivot pin 53 and will function as the fulcrum of'tlrelever, the latter then functioning as a 'lever of the third class'with reduced force applied to pivot 50.

In the operation of'the mechanism shown in Fig. 7, as force is exerted against rod 36 to move the door from open position to the closed position, the end 64 of slot 61 will engage pivot pin 62 and the lever 56 will pivot in a clockwise direction, functioning as a lever of the :third class, theslot '57 in lever 56 permitting such movement. position, the "lower 'end 28" of lever :56 will-abut against stop '47".

To open the 'door '30", force is applied to the rod 36" in the opposite direction. Consequently the lower end of "lever 56 against stop '47 will act as a fulcrum so that an enhanced force will be applied to pivot 58 to dislodge the door, the lever 56 functioning as a lever of the second class.

After :the door'has been dislodged and the lower end of lever 56 moves away from stop 47", the end 63 of slotrl will engage pivot pin 62 and will function as the fulcrum of "the lever, the latter then functioning as a lever of the third class with reduced force applied to pivot 58.

Although the mechanism herein described has been illustratively shown and described as applied to a bull;- head door, it is ofcourse to be understood that it could also be applied to sliding hatch covers and similar units.

With the relatively simple mechanism above described, a sliding door may readily be moved'to closed position with a relatively small force being directly applied to Upon opening of the door, a relatively great force will initially be applied to the door .to dislodge the latter and this force will thereupon automatically be reduced to a relatively small amount to complete the opening of such door.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely difierent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of :the claims, it is intended that all matter contained inthe above description or shown 'in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not .in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to "secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: V r

1. iMechanisrn iormoving a slidably mounted member from a first to a second position, comprising a lever pivotally mounted between its ends to said member, stop means associated with said lever to effect functioning of said lever as a lever 0f the third class as said lever is pivoted to ;move the slidable member .to the first :position, additional stop meansiasso'ciated with said lever to effect functioning of said lever as .a lever 0f the second class as said lever is initially pivoted to move the slidable member from ;said:first;position toward said second position, .and further stop means associated with said lever to effect functioning of the latter as a lever of the third class after .said' member has moved slightly away from its first position.

2. Mechanism for operating a partition slidably mounted-on .apair of spaced tracks afiixed on a frame on opposed sides respectively -of an opening therein, comprising a leverpivotally .mounted'between.itsends to said partition, .9. stop .afiixedto said frame adjacent one .of said tracks and adapted to' be engaged by one. end :of said lever when the partition is in closed position, means to When the door is in closed limit the movement of the other end of said lever in either direction of movement of said partition, and means to apply an actuating force to said lever between the pivotal inount thereof to said partition and said other end of said ever.

3. Mechanism for operating a partition slidably mounted on a pair of spaced tracks alfixed on a frame on opposed sides respectively of an opening therein, comprising a lever pivotally mounted between its ends to said partition, a pair of spaced stops aflixed to said frame adjacent one of said tracks, means mounted on one end of said lever coacting with said stops to limit the movement of said end of the lever in either direction of movement of the partition, a third stop afiixed to said frame adjacent the other of said tracks, the other end of said lever being adapted to abut against said third stop when the partition is in closed position, and means to apply an actuating force to said lever between the pivotal mount 1thereof to said partition and the first named end of said ever.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 in which a bracket affixed to said frame has a slot therethrough extending parallel to one of said tracks, the ends of said slot defining said pair of stops, the means mounted on one end of said lever coacting with said stops comprises a rod pivotally mounted at one end to the end of said lever and having a lateral projection at its other end extending into said slot.

5. Mechanism for operating a partition slidably mounted on a pair of spaced tracks atfixed on a frame on opposed sides respectively of an opening therein, comprising a lever pivotally mounted between its ends to said partition, said lever having an elongated slot in one end thereof, each of the ends of said slots defining a stop,

a pin afiixed to the frame adjacent one of said tracks and extending through said slot, a third stop aflixed to said frame adjacent the other of said tracks, the other end of said lever being adapted to abut against said third stop when the partition is in closed position and means to apply an actuating force to said lever between the pivotal mount thereof to said partition and the first named end of said lever.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 in which said lever has a rod pivoted at one end thereto between the ends of the lever and pivotally mounted at its other end to said partition.

7. Mechanism for operating a partition slidably mounted on a pair of spaced tracks aflixed on a frame on opposed sides respectively of an opening therein, comprising a lever having a longitudinal slot between its ends, a pin afiixed to said partition and extending through said slot, pivotally to mount said lever, said lever having a transverse elongated slot at one end thereof, each of the ends of said slot defining a stop, a pin aflixed to the frame adjacent one of said tracks and extending through said transverse slot, a third stop aflixed to said frame adjacent the other of said tracks, the other end of said lever being adapted to abut against said third stop when the partition is in closed position and means to apply an actuating force to said lever between the pivotal mount thereof to said partition and the transversely slotted end of said lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,041,650 Swann May 19, 1936 

